According to the National Hurricane Center, a hurricane warning is in effect for Vieques and Culebra, the U.S. Virgin Islands and British Virgin Islands. A hurricane watch is in effect for Puerto Rico.

As of 11:00 AM, Dorian is moving toward the northwest near 13 mph (20 km/h), and this motion is expected to continue for the next day or two. On this track, Dorian should move near the U.S. and British Virgin Islands and then continue over the open Atlantic well east of the southeastern Bahamas.

The cyclone is heading toward a weakness in the Atlantic subtropical ridge, and this motion should continue for the next 2 to 3 days. However, after that time, all global models build a robust ridge over the western Atlantic, and this flow pattern should force Dorian to turn more to the west-northwest toward Florida and the southeast coast of the United States. All indications are that by this Labor Day weekend, a powerful hurricane will be near the Florida or southeastern coast of the United States.

As in years past, AlertsUSA will be providing regular updates and information resources related to the hurricane, along with important recovery resources, as the situation warrants.

Now is the time for those in hurricane-prone regions to prepare.